more than 160 people have been taken to local hospitals, and president obama has opinion notified. the administration is monitoring this situation via fema which is in contact with state and local officials in texas. here's waco police sergeant patrick swanson just a short time ago. >> there is a significant area around the fertilizer plant that has been destroyed. homes have been destroyed and there are homes flattened and part of that community is gone. >> nbc's charles hadlock is live in the small town of west, texas. charles, what are people saying so far? what's the latest? >> reporter: they say it's a very tedious process, but they are still holding out hope that they will find survivors in the rubble that is left in the northern part of west, texas. the plant itself is on the northeast corner of town, and it exploded last night after fire broke out about 7:30. about 7:45 the fire chief realized the fire was getting out of control. he order his men out, and seven minutes later the whole building exploded. jill jenkins was a triage nurse. she was one of the first ones to arriv